I'm thinking about camping with my kids,any advice or tips on how to make it fun?

Answer 1

As an experienced camper, hiker, and father - first and foremost get them involved early on. Include them in the decisions you are making. Let them choose their own sleeping bag, their own flashlights, their own binoculars, and even have them help plan out the meals. Get them excited about it by including them, and sharing your own enthusiasm with them. That is the first step.

Next, pick up some “kid friendly” items, like compasses, ‘bug nests”, and maybe even their own little pocketknife (if they are ready for that). Check at your local Wal-Mart or sporting goods stores. They should have item made especially for children. Coleman in particular has an entire product line of items made especially for children. Many of these thing are just mini versions of “grown-up” items, and this is good. It makes them feel like they are contributing.

Then teach them how to do some of the more mundane things before you head out. Teach them to help set up the tent, to roll out their air mattresses and sleeping bags, to change the batteries in their flash lights. Also, be sure to teach them basic safety measures too: if they are to use knives – to cut away from themselves; where the first aid kit is; the basics on what not to eat in the wild; what to do if an animal approaches; etc. Show them how to read a map, and what to do if they get separated from you.

Also, bring plenty of “munchies” and simple games to play with them when you’re out. You might be surprised just how entertaining a deck of cards or a set of dominoes can be, and what a blessing they are to have around. Another thing - Kids get surprisingly hungry when camping, so stock up ahead of time. Stay away from foods that spoil, and stick with healthier alternatives, nuts, seeds, dehydrated fruits, etc. Also, plain old water gets boring for kids to drink quickly. Bring a variety of powdered drink mixes.

While you're camping, pay attention to what they are doing and the questions they are asking. If you don’t know the answer, don’t make one up, sooner or later they will figure it out. Better yet, when they ask a question that you don’t know the answer to (and they will, I guarantee it), find the answer together, then you will both know.

Most importantly of all, have fun, relax, and let them experience the outdoors with you, not in spite of you. Bumps, bruises, and scrapes will happen, and things will go “bump” in the night, so simply be prepared for it, and be patient.

As with most things, a little preparation and forethought will go a long way. When in doubt remember this - You were a kid once yourself, right? What would have been fun for you?

Good luck, stay safe, and have a blast!

Answer 2

i have spent most of my younger days, and even still all the days i can, in the woods camping and backpacking. The fun things that i can tell you that caught my interest, was things like fishing, and walking in the woods exploring, learning new things about the wilds. If your kids are the fishing type, take them camping by a lake or pond. Let them fish, and camp at the same time. The best thing i can suggest, is learn what your kids like, or what interests them about the outdoors and apply that to camping. If they like wild life, take them hiking, and show them birds, and other critters.

Answer 3

Even after a day of camping fun, night time can be spooky for kids. I always pack glow sticks. Each kid gets to break open a new stick each night. Then I hang them up near where they are sleeping so they have night lights without using flash lights and wearing the batteries down.
I always pack a few extra sticks because some sticks turn out to be duds.

Answer 4

bring campire foods like smores and hot dogs, make a campfire the fun way by collecting the firewood and timber and stuff. dont cheat with lighter fluid thats no fun. Tell scary stories at the campfire before bed. If there is a stream or a lake near by, go fishing and swimming. Bring binoculars so you can spot animals and birds. Cook meals and retrieve water and set up tents. Its more fun to rough it than to stay in a RV

Answer 5

Don't forget marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers for s'mores! You just can't camp without s'mores. Choose a place where you can hike and discover. Take some games along-indoor games too, in case of rain. Real campfires and spooky stories or group sing-a-longs are always great. If there's a lake for swimming or boating, you'll probably be a big hit too. But, don't forget to practice water safety. Happy camping!

Answer 6

My best advice to you is to camp on a site that is close to a stream. the kids can go play in the water if they get bored.

Answer 7

Plan ahead. It is very important that the kids have something constructive to do during the trip, because they are used to ipods, gaming systems, and so on. Have activities timed, down to the minute, that are interesting to them. Don't just hike have a set time for it. Also try to constantly teach new things and heavily involve them in everything.

Answer 8

One thing my kids like is a scavenger hunt. I wrote lists on notebook paper, gave them each one and a brown paper bag............I had stuff on the list like- pine cone, piece of a weed, piece of trash, long stick, short stick, dirt, gravel, a bug, a green leaf..............anything you can think of that might be laying around there. (to make it harder- a popup thing from an aluminum can, candy wrapper, etc)
They run back with their bags like they found treasure!
HAVE FUN!

Answer 9

Maybe hunt for your own food. Bring extra clothes, supplies, map, compass, food, water

Answer 10

Have lots of indoor and outdoor activites planned, never know what the weather may be.